Colorado State Senate comes in a half-million dollars under budget for fiscal year 2011-2012 | Politics

On Monday, budget numbers released by the office of the Colorado State Senate Secretary indicate that through a number of cost-saving measures the Senate was able to return almost half a million dollars to the general fund this year.

"Colorado families have been working hard to make every penny count, and they deserve a government that does the same. I am proud to return more than ten percent of our budget to the general fund this year,” said Senate President Brandon Shaffer. "This session, the Senate passed significant legislation, helped the people of Colorado get back to work and balanced the State's budget.  These are not small accomplishments, and we did it while spending less."

Shaffer thanked his colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their continued effort to find ways to save money.  

The accounting period is for the fiscal year beginning on July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012 and it reflects more than a 10 percent reduction in expected spending.

The total Senate budget for FY2011-12 was $4,434,417, which was divided as follows:

*  $1,551,923 for Senate member payroll, salary per diem, and benefits, of which amount $45,940 was reverted back to the general fund;

*  $1,370,000 for full-time staff salaries and benefits, of which amount $110,669 was reverted back to the general fund;

*  $303,407 for operating expenses, of which amount $24,885 was reverted back to the general fund;

*  $103,460 for travel expenses, of which amount $38,363 was reverted back to the general fund; and

*  $1,105,627 for session expenses, of which amount $263,724 was reverted back to the general fund.

In total, the Colorado Senate gave back $483,581, more than 10 percent of their entire budget, to the general fund for FY2011-12.

Press Release